BOSTON, DEC. 14 - MassChallenge, the most startup-friendly accelerator on the planet, today announced the 32 digital health startups joining the 2018 PULSE@MassChallenge cohort. Selected from more than 500 applicants from around the world, this year’s cohort represents the most-innovative technologies advancing healthcare and improving patient wellbeing.

“We believe that when entrepreneurs and the community come together, we can solve healthcare’s massive problems,” said Nick Dougherty, Program Director, PULSE @MassChallenge. “We are so excited to get to know this year’s cohort and to connect them with the strategic partnerships necessary for creating widespread impact.”

Launched as a strategic component of Mass Digital Health and fueled by public-private partnerships, PULSE@ MassChallenge accelerates the impact of digital health startups around the world. Through rigorous matchmaking, PULSE@ MassChallenge’s second cohort was selected by an impressive pool of institutions, providers, and payors​ looking to form unique partnerships with digital health startups. ​These Champions will​ support entrepreneurs throughout the program by facilitating key advisor introductions, pilots, research, and even investment opportunities.

“Aetna is committed to building a healthier world, and we’ve seen the difference that health technology can make among individuals and communities,” said Justin Steinman, Vice President and Head of Product Management at Aetna. “Innovative technologies are critical to reducing health disparities and improving health outcomes, and it’s a privilege to support PULSE@ MassChallenge and these pioneering entrepreneurs.”

“Cigna sees great value in connecting our innovation strategy to those who are driving advances in the digital health ecosystem,” said Mark Butler, President of Cigna's New England market. “We are a Champion Partner of PULSE@ MassChallenge because it provides a rich learning experience for participants, and provides a forum for us to bring our expertise and mentorship to the table to support new ideas, talent and technology. This innovation will ultimately help us deliver a simpler experience and drive better health outcomes for the people we serve and for the communities where we live and work.”

Beginning in January, startups will have access to tailored curriculum, over 4,000 square feet of co-working space through generous support from Samuels and Associates, and the opportunity to apply for shares of $50,000 in need-based scholarships – all at zero cost and for zero equity. At the culmination of the program, startups will compete for over $200,000 in cash prizes.

To date, startups that have participated in PULSE@ MassChallenge have raised more than $52M in funding, generated more than $13M in revenue, and grown their employee headcount by over 22 percent. More details on the program’s impact can be found here.

aam
U.S. – Massachusetts
Introduces the first-ever connected hardware device that will keep the 9.7 million U.S. women who take the Birth Control Pill from missing a dose again.

Aluna
U.S. – California
Develops a respiratory management system consisting of a portable spirometer and gamified app to detect early signs of asthma attacks.

Astarte Medical Partners
U.S. – Pennsylvania
Makes it easy to quantify, optimize treatment, and personalize nutrition for gut health, which is central to infant’s growth and brain development.

BOLD Medical Partners
U.S. – Illinois
Develops a robust method of measuring blood pressure through a non-invasive and continuous device.

Day Zero Diagnostics, Inc.
U.S. – Massachusetts
Uses a novel sample prep, high throughput sequencing, and machine intelligence to shorten the time it takes to identify a pathogen and predict its drug resistance profile from days to hours.

DeepHealth
U.S. – Massachusetts
Leverages machine learning to bring the best doctor in the world to every patient.

DocFlight
U.S. – New York
Enables patient in China to book an appointment with a top U.S. doctor, have a virtual consultation on a screen, and receive medical recommendations.

Epidemic Solutions
U.S. – Massachusetts
Develops the Opioid Recovery Bracelet to detect signs of overdose and automatically administer life-saving naloxone without the participation of bystanders or first responders.

Epion Health
U.S. – New Jersey
Patient access company, beginning with digital check-in and expanding to solutions aligned with provider and patient goals.

About MassChallenge:
MassChallenge is the most startup-friendly accelerator on the planet. No equity and not-for-profit, we are obsessed with helping entrepreneurs from all backgrounds, industries, and regions around the world. We also reward the highest-impact startups through a competition to win a portion of several million dollars in equity-free cash awards. Through our global network of accelerators in Boston, Israel, Mexico, Switzerland, Texas, and the UK; and unrivaled access to our corporate partners, we can have a massive impact - driving growth and creating value the world over. To date, 1,211 MassChallenge alumni have raised over $2 billion in funding, generated approximately $900 million in revenue, and created over 65,000 total jobs. For more information, please visit masschallenge.org.